Wednesday 10 Jun 2020

 

Kingdom Nominates Royal Court Advisor Mohammad Al-Tuwaijri for Post of WTO Director-General

​​ The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has nominated, today, Royal Court Advisor Mohammad al-Tuwaijri for post of the WTO Director-General. In its memorandum to the WTO, the Kingdom's delegation emphasized the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's deep belief in the multilateral trade system and the WTO's vital role in this system, while emphasizing the importance of having a strong system that promote openness based on the multilateral trade system regulations. Moreover, the Kingdom's delegation emphasized that the Kingdom is aware of the WTO's pivotal role in formulating and enforcing international trade regulations and sponsoring and developing international trade and economy. The nomination of Advisor Muhammad bin Mazyad al-Tuwaijri comes at a time when the world is witnessing great changes in the trade system, out of the Kingdom's awareness of its responsibility as its currently hosts the G20 Summit. Moreover, it reflects its ongoing support for local efforts to promote the WTO and formulate a strategic vision for the G20's member states to promote the important role of trade in driving economic growth and achieving sustainable development. Advisor Muhammad al-Tuwaijri, Kingdom's candidate for the post of WTO's director-general, has a proven track record of practical expertise. He obtained a master's degree with distinction in business administration from King Saud University in 1998. Moreover, he filled several leading posts that qualified him to run for the position with competency, with the foremost being Minister of Economy and Planning; member of the cabinet and the Saudi Council of Economic and Development Affairs from 2017 till 2020; Deputy Minister of Economy and Planning, Secretary General of the Financial Committee at the Royal Court from 2016 to 2017; Deputy Chairman of the Board of the National Development Fund; Chairman of the National Transformation Program; and the establishment of strategic partnerships in several countries. Moreover, he served as the Chairman of the Bo​ard of Directors of the General Authority of​ Statistics, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Privatization; member of the Board of Directors of Aramco and the Public Investment Fund; CEO and Vice President of HSBC Middle East and North Africa from 2014 to 2016; Regional Head of Banking at HSBC Middle East and North Africa from 2010 to 2014; and CEO of JP Morgan in the Kingdom from 2007 to 2010.